The Minnesota Association of Townships is proud to again offer a township scholarship program for high school juniors. Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.

The Minnesota Association of Townships is a non-profit corporation representing Minnesota townships while promoting an understanding of the heritage and future of town government. The Association serves as a spokesman for Minnesotaís town government and town officers. It regularly conducts research and educational programs designed to foster efficient, effective, and economical town governmental services. The Association also acts as a liaison between towns, town officials, and other local government officials to encourage sustained intergovernmental cooperation.

The Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program is designed to further awareness and education about the township form of government. The Minnesota Association of Townships encourages every high school in the state of Minnesota to offer this opportunity for Juniors to participate in this scholarship program. The Association believes the process of applying for this scholarship program will help to educate students about the township form of government, its place and purpose in local government, and the involvement of citizens in grassroots government.

ELIGIBILITY
All students currently enrolled in the 11th grade and attending a Minnesota public, private, or parochial high school or a home study program and who plan to further their education at a college, university, or vocational school are eligible for this program. Children and grandchildren of MAT Directors and staff are not eligible.

REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must complete an application form and submit it along with a written essay discussing this yearís topic: There is one major difference in how the property tax levies are set between townships and other local units of government (school districts, cities and counties). Identify the difference and describe why each form works for their particular citizenry. Also, explain the advantage of the levy process for each type of government. Essays must be between 450 and 500 words, and must be typed with double spacing. Applicants should not name themselves, their school, their town or city, or their local officials in the essay.

Along with the completed application and written essay, students must submit a current high school transcript and a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor. All items must be submitted in one envelope and mailed to: Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program, P .O. Box 267, St. Michael, MN 55376, postmarked by May 1, 2005. Incomplete applications or applications postmarked after May 1, 2005 will not be accepted.

SELECTION
Each essay will be judged by an independent panel based upon originality, knowledge of subject matter in relationship to the title, and supporting statements, as well as correct spelling and punctuation. The judging will be completed by October 1, 2005 at which time four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. Winners will be notified in writing in October 2005 and will be invited to attend the MATís annual meeting to be held on Nov. 17-19, 2005. Scholarship awards will be paid to the appropriate financial aid office upon receipt of verification of enrollment at a college, university, or technical school.
For more information, visit www.mntownships.org .

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